To keep your body and mind healthy and happy, it’s important to follow a beauty routine. While a good skin-care routine is important, incorporating yoga and meditation into your routine will ensure your body and mind is kept in top shape as well as your skin. All you need to get started is some comfortable clothing and a good-quality yoga mat. In this article, we explore what a beauty routine looks like for a yogini.
Cleanse
The first step in any beauty routine should be to cleanse the skin. Use a natural cleanser to remove makeup, oils, and dirt at the end of each day. The step should also be done first thing in the morning before applying fresh makeup to the skin. Using a gentle, organic cleanser can prevent blemishes and even ward off sagging and wrinkles.
Exfoliate
Once your face is clean, it’s time to exfoliate. This step doesn’t necessarily need to be done daily, it com-pletely depends on your skin. Some yoginis exfoliate every day while others prefer to stick to once or twice a week. Take a few weeks to try out different routines to determine what works best for your skin. Over time, dead skin cells can clog the pores. If you don’t exfoliate, this can lead to blemishes and a dull appearance. Using a gentle exfoliator will cleanse the pores and remove impurities. Some yoginis prefer to use an exfoliating facial brush, instead; this does exactly the same job as an exfoliating product but also stimulates skin renewal to promote a healthy appearance.
Tone
Use a gentle toner to remove any residue left from your cleansing products. If you’re interested in using natural products, try using rosewater to tone the skin. Available from most supermarkets, rosewater is a completely natural product. Better still, it’s much more affordable than premium toner but just as efficient!
Moisturise
It’s important to finish off your skincare routine with a good moisturiser. Organic products can be picked up from any major pharmacy or supermarket. For an affordable, natural solution, many yoginis enjoy using coconut oil to moisturise the skin. Suitable for use all over the body, coconut oil will leave your skin feeling nourished, hydrated, and soft.
Relax With Yoga
Once your skincare routine is complete, it’s time to relax the body and mind. Restorative yoga poses help to relax the muscles and clear the mind, allowing you to head off to bed feeling stress-free – both mentally and physically! Below, we discuss a few of the best restorative postures.
Child’s Pose
To practice Child’s Pose, kneel on your yoga mat and sit back on your heels. When you’re ready, slowly lower your forehead towards the ground until it is resting in front of your knees. Allow your arms to rest by the sides of your body. You are in Childs Pose. Hold for 30 seconds while breathing deeply.
Legs Up The Wall
Encouraging good blood flow, Legs Up The Wall Pose is another restorative posture. To practice the asana, place the shortest side of your yoga mat against a wall. When your mat is in place, sit down facing the wall. Gently lie back on the mat and extend both legs up the wall. Make sure that your bottom is almost touching the wall and that your legs are close together. You are in Legs Up The Wall Pose. Close your eyes, relax, and hold the posture for a few minutes.
Happy Baby Pose
Happy Baby Pose is another popular asana. In addition to relaxing the body and mind, Happy Baby Pose is great for relieving a throbbing headache. To practice the asana, lie on your back with your knees bent. Next, take hold of your feet and gently rock from side to side. This motion will release built-up tension from the lower back. Additionally, the rocking motion helps to relax the mind.
Resting Pose
Also known as Corpse Pose, Resting Pose is one of the easiest postures to practice. To practice the pose, simply lie on your back and relax your arms by your sides. You are in Resting Pose. Take a few minutes to relax and reflect upon your day. If you’re feeling stressed, try to concentrate on your breathing until you feel yourself start to relax.
Meditate
If you’re still feeling a little tense, incorporate a few minutes of meditation into your beauty routine. When the body is stressed, it releases higher levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Over time, this can increase your skin’s oil production and lead to blemishes and breakouts. Many people believe that meditation is difficult; however, this is completely untrue. While top-level meditation may require a certain amount of skill, basic meditation can be practised by anyone. If you’re a beginner, try some simple breathing meditation. To use this technique, all you need to do is watch your breath and give your mind something to focus on. For best results, find a quiet space in your home to relax in. Some yoginis enjoy lighting a scented candle or incense stick to set the mood. Once you’ve found your space, close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Take a deep breath in through your nose and release the air through your mouth. Notice how each breath feels as your draw fresh air into your lungs, and how it feels when it leaves the body. Don’t try to control your breathing, simply observe it in its natural state. It’s as simple as that!
Head to Bed
For most yoginis, the final step of their beauty routine is a good nights sleep. Not getting enough shut-eye can cause bags under the eyes and a dull appearance. While you’re sleeping, the skin produces collagen which can prevent and reduce wrinkles. With this in mind, heading to bed at a reasonable time is important if you want to look your best!
In Summary
Whatever your lifestyle, following the beauty routine above will allow you to wake up feeling happy, healthy, and relaxed. In addition to the steps above, it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day – especially in the summer months. Drinking at least 2 litres will reduce breakouts and keep your complexion glowing. If you’re sitting out in the sun, remember to apply a good-quality SPF and wear a yoga cap to protect your skin from the UV rays.